Relationship of dietary intake between children aged 12-59 months and their mothers in rural Kenya: a cross-sectional study in two seasons.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the quantitative association between the dietary intakes of children and their caregivers. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, a non-consecutive 2-day 24-h dietary recall was conducted in two seasons. Participants comprised 142 pairs of 12-59-month-old children and their female caregivers from rural areas of Kenya. Energy and micronutrient adequacy, food group intakes and food allocation were assessed. Differences and correlations between caregiver and child diets were examined, and multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the children's and caregivers' dietary intakes. RESULTS: The child's diet was significantly lower in energy and higher in micronutrient adequacy than was the caregiver's diet (p < 0.001). Specifically, the child's diet contained more fruits, dairy products, sugar and confectionaries per 4184 kj. Children were allocated relatively more dishes containing nutrient-rich foods than staple foods. The correlation coefficients between the dietary intake of caregivers and children were stronger among 24-59-month-old children. After controlling with covariates, caregiver energy intake was significantly associated with child energy intake (standardised beta [ß] = 0.512, p < 0.001), and caregiver micronutrient adequacy was associated with child micronutrient adequacy (ß = 0.679 and ß = 0.262 after energy adjustment, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dietary intakes of caregivers and children were closely related. The children had a more nutrient-rich diet compared to that of their caregivers. Differences in food group intakes and food allocation may contribute to the higher nutrient adequacy of children. There is a need to improve the diet of caregivers, which would contribute to improving the diet of children.

High Adherence to the Food Pyramid's Recommendations Avoids the Risk of Insufficient Nutrient Intake among Farmers in Peri-Urban Kenya.

This study aimed to investigate whether the Kenyan Food Pyramid (FP) can evaluate excess or insufficient nutrient intake. Participants were farmers (56 men and 64 women, aged 18-60 years) in Wangige Village, Kiambu County-a peri-urban area of Kenya. Cross-sectional data were collected for demographic characteristics, physical measurements, and 2-day and 24-h dietary recalls. The average adherence level to the FP (hereafter, "FP score") was 25.0 out of 50.0, with a minimum and maximum of 14.1 and 41.5, respectively. Energy and protein % energy ratio were significantly higher (p for trend < 0.05) in the higher FP score group. A higher FP score was also associated with a higher energy-adjusted micronutrient intake, and it was more likely to meet nutrient requirements. However, the higher FP score group had a higher risk of excess sodium intake (p for trend < 0.001). The Kenyan FP could be a useful tool for avoiding the risk of insufficient nutrient intake, but not for avoiding high energy and sodium intake. It is necessary to include appropriate evaluations to limit energy, sugar, and salt. Food groups and recommendations of the FP should be optimised according to the dietary environment of the target population so as to promote their health.